Sichuan Cuisine

Spicy Mala Stir-Fry with Pork, Shrimp and Mixed Vegetables

This colorful mala stir-fry combines pork slices, shrimp, tofu products, mushrooms, and assorted vegetables in a fragrant Sichuan-style sauce. Infused with hot pot seasoning, Sichuan peppercorns, garlic, and spices, the dish delivers a bold spicy-numbing flavor and is perfect for sharing as a hearty family meal.

Total
30 minutes
Spicy Mala Stir-Fry with Pork, Shrimp and Mixed Vegetables finished dish
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Quick Recipe Summary

Cuisine
Chinese
Category
Sichuan Cuisine
Method
Stir-fry
Total Time
30 minutes
Difficulty
Medium
Main Ingredient
Pork Slices

Introduction

This colorful mala stir-fry combines pork slices, shrimp, tofu products, mushrooms, and assorted vegetables in a fragrant Sichuan-style sauce. Infused with hot pot seasoning, Sichuan peppercorns, garlic, and spices, the dish delivers a bold spicy-numbing flavor and is perfect for sharing as a hearty family meal.

This Spicy Mala Stir-Fry with Pork, Shrimp and Mixed Vegetables recipe is written for Chinese home cooking, with attention to timing, texture, and the small cues that make the method easier to follow. Read through the ingredient notes and cooking tips before you start so the steps feel familiar once the pan, steamer, or pot is hot.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • Ready in about 30 minutes, so it can fit into a busy cooking day.
  • Breaks the method into manageable steps instead of assuming you already know the technique.
  • Helpful for practicing timing, heat control, and the order of adding ingredients.
  • Shows a practical way to cook pork with clear preparation and cooking cues.
  • Gives the dish a clear spicy and numbing flavor profile without making the method feel complicated.

Ingredients

  • as needed Pork Slices
  • as needed Large Shrimp
  • as needed Dried Bean Curd Sticks
  • as needed Shiitake Mushrooms
  • as needed Cucumber
  • as needed Corn
  • as needed Potato
  • as needed String Beans
  • as needed Green Beans
  • as needed Flat Beans
  • as needed Fresh Chili Peppers
  • as needed Fish Tofu
  • as needed Star Anise
  • as needed Cinnamon Stick
  • as needed Bay Leaves
  • as needed Garlic Cloves
  • as needed Hot Pot Base
  • as needed Sichuan Peppercorns
  • as needed Chicken Bouillon Powder
  • as needed Cooking Wine
  • as needed Toasted White Sesame Seeds
  • as needed Green Onions

Ingredient Notes

These notes explain the role of the main ingredients so the recipe is easier to adjust without losing its Chinese home-cooking character.

Pork Slices

Pork brings savory depth and works well with ginger, garlic, soy sauce, vinegar, and vegetables.

Large Shrimp

This ingredient helps define the flavor, texture, or structure of the dish.

Dried Bean Curd Sticks

This ingredient helps define the flavor, texture, or structure of the dish.

Shiitake Mushrooms

This ingredient helps define the flavor, texture, or structure of the dish.

Cucumber

This ingredient helps define the flavor, texture, or structure of the dish.

Corn

This ingredient helps define the flavor, texture, or structure of the dish.

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Step 1

    Prepare and wash all ingredients. Cut the vegetables into bite-sized pieces.

    Spicy Mala Stir-Fry with Pork, Shrimp and Mixed Vegetables step 1: Prepare and wash all ingredients. Cut the vegetables into bite-sized pieces.

  2. Step 2

    Bring a pot of water to a boil. Blanch the corn until partially tender, then remove.

    Spicy Mala Stir-Fry with Pork, Shrimp and Mixed Vegetables step 2: Bring a pot of water to a boil. Blanch the corn until partially tender, then rem

  3. Step 3

    Blanch the potato pieces until just tender.

    Spicy Mala Stir-Fry with Pork, Shrimp and Mixed Vegetables step 3: Blanch the potato pieces until just tender.

  4. Step 4

    Blanch all vegetables except the cucumber. Transfer to cold water and drain well.

    Spicy Mala Stir-Fry with Pork, Shrimp and Mixed Vegetables step 4: Blanch all vegetables except the cucumber. Transfer to cold water and drain well

  5. Step 5

    In a separate pot of boiling water, blanch the fish tofu, dried bean curd sticks, and shiitake mushrooms.

    Spicy Mala Stir-Fry with Pork, Shrimp and Mixed Vegetables step 5: In a separate pot of boiling water, blanch the fish tofu, dried bean curd sticks

  6. Step 6

    Add the shrimp and blanch for about 1 minute, just until they turn pink.

    Spicy Mala Stir-Fry with Pork, Shrimp and Mixed Vegetables step 6: Add the shrimp and blanch for about 1 minute, just until they turn pink.

  7. Step 7

    Rinse all blanched ingredients in cold water and set aside.

    Spicy Mala Stir-Fry with Pork, Shrimp and Mixed Vegetables step 7: Rinse all blanched ingredients in cold water and set aside.

  8. Step 8

    Heat oil in a wok. Add Sichuan peppercorns and stir-fry over low heat until fragrant.

    Spicy Mala Stir-Fry with Pork, Shrimp and Mixed Vegetables step 8: Heat oil in a wok. Add Sichuan peppercorns and stir-fry over low heat until frag

  9. Step 9

    Add star anise, cinnamon stick, and bay leaves. Stir-fry gently to release their aroma.

    Spicy Mala Stir-Fry with Pork, Shrimp and Mixed Vegetables step 9: Add star anise, cinnamon stick, and bay leaves. Stir-fry gently to release their

  10. Step 10

    Add chopped chilies and garlic cloves. Stir-fry until fragrant.

    Spicy Mala Stir-Fry with Pork, Shrimp and Mixed Vegetables step 10: Add chopped chilies and garlic cloves. Stir-fry until fragrant.

  11. Step 11

    Add the hot pot base and cook until the red oil is released.

    Spicy Mala Stir-Fry with Pork, Shrimp and Mixed Vegetables step 11: Add the hot pot base and cook until the red oil is released.

  12. Step 12

    Add the pork slices and stir-fry until they change color.

    Spicy Mala Stir-Fry with Pork, Shrimp and Mixed Vegetables step 12: Add the pork slices and stir-fry until they change color.

  13. Step 13

    Add all prepared vegetables, tofu products, mushrooms, and shrimp. Toss well to coat everything evenly in the sauce.

    Spicy Mala Stir-Fry with Pork, Shrimp and Mixed Vegetables step 13: Add all prepared vegetables, tofu products, mushrooms, and shrimp. Toss well to

  14. Step 14

    Season with chicken bouillon powder and cooking wine. Stir-fry until everything is heated through.

    Spicy Mala Stir-Fry with Pork, Shrimp and Mixed Vegetables step 14: Season with chicken bouillon powder and cooking wine. Stir-fry until everything

  15. Step 15

    Transfer the stir-fry to a serving platter.

    Spicy Mala Stir-Fry with Pork, Shrimp and Mixed Vegetables step 15: Transfer the stir-fry to a serving platter.

  16. Step 16

    Garnish with toasted white sesame seeds and chopped green onions.

    Spicy Mala Stir-Fry with Pork, Shrimp and Mixed Vegetables step 16: Garnish with toasted white sesame seeds and chopped green onions.

  17. Step 17

    Serve immediately while hot.

    Spicy Mala Stir-Fry with Pork, Shrimp and Mixed Vegetables step 17: Serve immediately while hot.

Cooking Tips

  • Because hot pot base seasoning is already salty and flavorful, additional salt is usually unnecessary. Blanching the vegetables beforehand helps them cook evenly and prevents excess moisture from diluting the sauce.

Serving Suggestions

  • Serve it with steamed rice when you want a simple Chinese home-cooked meal.
  • Add a light soup or cold vegetable side if the stir-fry is salty, spicy, or saucy.
  • Keep rice or noodles ready before cooking because stir-fries are best served immediately.

Recipe Card

This colorful mala stir-fry combines pork slices, shrimp, tofu products, mushrooms, and assorted vegetables in a fragrant Sichuan-style sauce. Infused with hot pot seasoning, Sichuan peppercorns, garlic, and spices, the dish delivers a bold spicy-numbing flavor and is perfect for sharing as a hearty family meal.

Ingredients

  • as needed Pork Slices
  • as needed Large Shrimp
  • as needed Dried Bean Curd Sticks
  • as needed Shiitake Mushrooms
  • as needed Cucumber
  • as needed Corn
  • as needed Potato
  • as needed String Beans
  • as needed Green Beans
  • as needed Flat Beans
  • as needed Fresh Chili Peppers
  • as needed Fish Tofu
  • as needed Star Anise
  • as needed Cinnamon Stick
  • as needed Bay Leaves
  • as needed Garlic Cloves
  • as needed Hot Pot Base
  • as needed Sichuan Peppercorns
  • as needed Chicken Bouillon Powder
  • as needed Cooking Wine
  • as needed Toasted White Sesame Seeds
  • as needed Green Onions

Method

  1. Prepare and wash all ingredients. Cut the vegetables into bite-sized pieces.
  2. Bring a pot of water to a boil. Blanch the corn until partially tender, then remove.
  3. Blanch the potato pieces until just tender.
  4. Blanch all vegetables except the cucumber. Transfer to cold water and drain well.
  5. In a separate pot of boiling water, blanch the fish tofu, dried bean curd sticks, and shiitake mushrooms.
  6. Add the shrimp and blanch for about 1 minute, just until they turn pink.
  7. Rinse all blanched ingredients in cold water and set aside.
  8. Heat oil in a wok. Add Sichuan peppercorns and stir-fry over low heat until fragrant.
  9. Add star anise, cinnamon stick, and bay leaves. Stir-fry gently to release their aroma.
  10. Add chopped chilies and garlic cloves. Stir-fry until fragrant.
  11. Add the hot pot base and cook until the red oil is released.
  12. Add the pork slices and stir-fry until they change color.
  13. Add all prepared vegetables, tofu products, mushrooms, and shrimp. Toss well to coat everything evenly in the sauce.
  14. Season with chicken bouillon powder and cooking wine. Stir-fry until everything is heated through.
  15. Transfer the stir-fry to a serving platter.
  16. Garnish with toasted white sesame seeds and chopped green onions.
  17. Serve immediately while hot.

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